View of haleakala national park
Maui · United States

Best Things to Do in Maui

Volcanic craters above the clouds, 620 rainforest curves to a black-sand beach, bamboo waterfalls, sea turtles and whales.

Maui offers an extraordinary balance of effortless sunny beach mornings and acclaimed natural adventures across its two volcanic massifs. Here are the ten experiences that define a visit.

  1. Drive the 620 curves of the Road to Hana to Wai'anapanapa Black Sand Beach & Pipiwai Bamboo Trail. Download the GuideAlong GPS audio app, eat hot banana bread at Ke'anae Peninsula, walk on jet-black volcanic pebbles, and hike through a musical forest of giant bamboo to 120-metre Waimoku Falls.
  2. Watch sunrise or sunset above the clouds at 3,055-Metre Haleakala National Park Summit. Stand at 10,023 feet above sea level looking into an 11-kilometre-wide volcanic crater dotted with rare silver-leaved 'Ahinahina (Silversword) plants.
  3. Stroll the 2.4-Kilometre Wailea Beach Path, snorkel with turtles at Maluaka & visit Makena Big Beach. Walk the oceanfront boardwalk connecting five golden crescent beaches in sunny South Maui.
  4. Snorkel around Black Rock (Pu'u Keka'a) at Ka'anapali Beach & walk the Kapalua Coastal Trail. Watch the daily sunset torch-lighting and cliff dive at Black Rock, then swim in calm Napili and Kapalua Bays.
  1. Take a morning boat out to snorkel Molokini Crater & Turtle Town. Swim in 40-metre underwater visibility inside a crescent-shaped submerged volcanic caldera 3 miles offshore.
  2. See 10,000 breaching North Pacific Humpback Whales (Mid-December to April). Cruise the shallow 'Au'au Channel where mothers and newborn calves breach right beside the boat.
  3. Watch 50+ Hawaiian green sea turtles haul out at Ho'okipa Beach Park & explore boho Pa'ia Town. Every afternoon before sunset, dozens of giant honu come ashore at Ho'okipa Lookout.
  4. Explore Upcountry Maui: Makawao, Kula Lavender & Surfing Goat Dairy, plus 'Iao Valley.
  1. Experience a Traditional Hawaiian Luau & Hula Under the Stars. Feast on kalua pork from an underground imu oven at the Old Lahaina Luau or Wailea resorts.
  2. Take the 45-minute ferry to Lana'i Island (Hulopo'e Bay) & eat Fresh Ahi Poke and Ululani's Shave Ice.

Traveller tips

Real advice from people who have been to Best Things to Do in Maui. Every tip is read by our team before it goes live.

    No tips yet. Been here? Yours could be the first.

    More in Maui

    Continue exploring Maui with related neighbourhood, food, and planning guides

    All Maui guides →